New orders for manufactured goods rose by the largest amount in three months in June, increasing by $4.7 billion, or 1.2 percent, to $406 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.
It was at the highest level since 1992, and followed a one percent increase in May. The increase fell shy, however, of the 1.7 percent advance economists had been expecting.
Shipments, down two of the last three months, decreased $1.2 billion, or 0.3 percent, to $403 billion, following a 2.5 percent May increase. Unfilled orders, up 13 of the last 14 months, increased by $9.7 billion, or 1.6 percent, to $621.4 billion.
New orders for manufactured durable goods, up four of the last five months, increased by $6.0 billion, or 2.9 percent, in June to $215.8 billion, revised from the previously published 3.1 percent increase. This followed a 0.3 percent May increase. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods decreased $1.3 billion, or 0.7 percent, to $190.2 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in June, up four of the last five months, increased $0.1 billion to $212.7 billion, revised from the previously published 0.1 percent increase. This was at the highest level since the series began and followed a 3.0 percent May increase.
Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, down following three consecutive monthly increases, decreased $1.3 billion, or 0.7 percent, to $190.2 billion. The decrease was led by chemical products, which decreased $1.0 billion, or 2.1 percent, to $48.4 billion.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in June, up five of the last six months, increased $2.1 billion, or 0.7 percent, to $283.0 billion, revised from the previously published 0.6 percent increase. This followed a 0.7 percent May increase.
Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up six of the last seven months, increased $1.7 billion, or 0.9 percent, to $186.5 billion. The increase was led by petroleum and coal products, which increased $0.8 billion, or 2.6 percent, to $30.0 billion.